Maintaining solid security in virtual environments

Virtualization has now been around for several years and is taking hold in enterprise IT operations across all sectors. But in the excitement to realize the impressive benefits of the technology, companies must be sure that they are not trading off performance and efficiency for network security.

Earlier this year, market research conducted by Veeam Software suggested that more than 90 percent of all enterprises are using virtualization to some degree. And as IT managers gain access to larger budgets, a wave of late adopters may be just around the corner. According to Dimension Data, more than 50 percent of companies responding to a recent survey identified desktop and application virtualization as a critical initiative for their business strategy over the next 12 to 18 months.

But as adoption rates continue to grow, so too will the importance of virtual data security. Hackers have become all too adept at exploiting the learning curves of new users, and IT administrators must be sure to establish best practices and clear policies to protect critical business data on new platforms.

According to Virtual-Strategy Magazine, the first step toward virtual data security will be effectively grouping applications and machines. By grouping applications according to configuration, IT managers no longer have to apply customized security controls to each program. And by grouping virtual machines according to user access level, unauthorized users will be prevented from causing costly security breaches, accidentally or intentionally.

By centralizing the management protocol for virtual machines, critical updates and patches can be applied to all endpoints in one system-wide deployment. According to the source, this time-saving maneuver will allow IT administrators to focus on other important functions, including network monitoring. This complex task is often best approached with the help of a qualified software solutions provider capable of offering automation features and strong network visibility.

While it may take time to get up to speed and cover all of the aforementioned security obligations, companies should always build off of strong fundamentals from day one. According to the news provider, two-factor authentication, encryption and traditional endpoint security are all hallmarks of intelligent data protection strategies. And for companies hoping to retain solid security in virtual environments, it will be critical to establish these capabilities before moving forward.